Apprenticeships

IMG_2377Want to learn how to run a small, intensive organic farm through a mentored work experience?

Chickadee Farm offers an advanced apprenticeship program that transitions to full employment for 2 aspiring organic farmers each year. The education of our apprentices is one of our highest priorities and we devote substantial time to conveying the skills, knowledge and strategies we use on our organic farm to our apprentices. In exchange for a full work week, apprentices are offered a weekly class on farming topics from soil science to business planning, are taken on a weekly 2-hour farm observation and assessment walk, are coached to accomplish all farm tasks and are mentored to become contributors to the management of the farm. Housing and a living stipend are provided. After 11 weeks, apprentices become half-time employees and after 22 weeks, they become full-time employees through the end of the 34 week season. We believe this balance of apprenticeship and employment serves aspiring farmers well in learning, both conceptually and the practically, the beauty and challenges of small-scale organic farming.

We have been hosting and training apprentices since 1999 and since then have trained over 40 apprentices, many who return for a second year and many who go on to start their own farms. Our expectations for apprentices is that they are hard-working, dedicated to the farm’s success, passionate about learning and contribute to creating a farm culture of joyful camaraderie.

If you are interested to launch your farming career through an apprenticeship, please contact us to learn more about our program and explore whether our farm is right for you.

If you are ready to apply for the apprenticeship, please email us a cover letter answering the following questions along with a resume.

  1. Why do you want to apprentice at Chickadee Farm?
  2. What do you hope to experience and learn through the apprenticeship?
  3. Why do you want to learn and do farming?
  4. What experience with farming do you have?
  5. How do you approach and feel about teamwork?

Please feel free to add anything else you would like us to know… thanks!

Email us at chickadeefarmer(at)gmail.com